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SSU 253

1990 Austin Healey Sprite

Red Petrol 950cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires6 Jul 2023
Tests20 (17 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate85%

Mileage

21,580 mi
Last recorded21,580 miles
Recorded on16 Jun 2023
Typical for 1990 Austin Healey Sprite68,356 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Austin Healey
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSSU 253
MakeAustin Healey
ModelSprite
Year1990
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine950cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

17 pass 3 fail
Fail 16 Jun 2023 21,580 miles

Fuel system component leaking at carburettors (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Jun 2022 21,210 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Jun 2022 21,210 miles

Fuel system component leaking dripping from carburettors (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Jun 2021 20,822 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 7 Jul 2020 20,586 miles

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Jul 2019 20,494 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Jul 2018 20,474 miles

Bonnet safety catch missing but bonnet closes securely

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 26 Jun 2017 20,288 miles

Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Lower Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Pass 27 Jun 2016 19,905 miles

Oil leak ()

Pass 30 Jun 2015 19,547 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2014 19,202 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2013 18,599 miles

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

slight play in n/s lower trunion

slight play in o/s lower trunion

Pass 3 Jul 2012 18,575 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

both steering rack gaiters perishing

n/s/f brake slow to respond

o/s/r foot brake effort slightly low

rear tyres worn unevenly

Pass 29 Jun 2011 17,524 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

engine idle speed slightly high

exhaust rear mounting loose

o/s/r foot brake effort slightly low

rear tyres worn unevenly

Pass 6 Jul 2010 15,786 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

both rear axle straps fraying

slight wear in o/s/f lower trunion

Pass 4 Jul 2009 14,748 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

wear in nearside steering rack joints

Fail 29 Jun 2009 14,748 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d) DANGEROUS

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

wear in nearside steering rack joints

Pass 17 Jun 2008 13,901 miles

fuel filler cap seal poor

play in o/s/r handbrake pivot

play in steering column

speedo cable rubbing on steering column

Pass 19 Jun 2007 12,265 miles

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

slight wear in o/s/f lower trunion

Pass 22 Jun 2006 11,055 miles

Nearside Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Offside Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

slight travel in handbrake

How Reliable is the Austin Healey Sprite?

Based on 8,300 MOT tests across 969 vehicles.

80.0%
Pass Rate
246
Miles/Year
68
Year Lifespan
969
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 220
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 214
Stop lamp not working 192
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 149
brake binding 119
Full Austin Healey Sprite reliability report

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SSU 253 is a 1990 Austin Healey Sprite in Red with a 950cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 85%.

Across all 1990 Austin Healey Sprite models, the average MOT pass rate is 91.4% with a typical mileage of 68,356 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Austin Healey Sprite fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 220 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SSU 253, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Austin Healey Sprite typically stays on UK roads for around 68 years. At 36 years old, this Austin Healey Sprite is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SSU 253?

You can check the full history of SSU 253 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SSU 253 registered?

SSU 253 is a 1990 Austin Healey Sprite, first registered on 13 July 1990.

Is SSU 253 safe to buy?

The MOT history for SSU 253 shows 20 tests with a 85% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SSU 253 have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on SSU 253. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.